Ozzy Osbourne Gives Terminally Ill Ex-Drummer Platinum Albums

Just last month, longtime rock drummer Lee Kerslake revealed that he had been given eight months to live after battling cancer for several years. During a chat with The Metal Voice (seen below), Kerslake revealed that it was his wish that he received the platinum album certifications for the Blizzard of Ozz and Diary of a Madman albums that he had worked on, and Ozzy Osbourne has granted that wish.

The relationship between Osbourne and former players Kerslake and Bob Daisley had not always been on good terms, as things turned litigious when both musicians had asked for credit after being let go from Osbourne’s group. Both were fired before Diary of a Madman was released. Bassist Rudy Sarzo and drummer Tommy Aldridge were credited in Diary’s liner notes, and Osbourne had Kerslake and Daisley's tracks replaced and re-recorded with different players for reissues when the court case was still ongoing.

Kerslake stated in December, “I really wrote a nice letter to them and I hope they will come to terms with it and say yes.” He added, “A platinum certification on my wall for these albums would be fantastic and it would say I helped create those albums."

In a social media posting, it was confirmed that Kerslake received the platinum plaques, as he posed with Ozzy Osbourne’s letter to him upon his chest. Ozzy stated in a social media post, “I’m so glad that Lee Kerslake is enjoying his Blizzard and Diary platinum albums. I hope you feel better. Love Ozzy.”

Blizzard of Ozz has been certified quadruple platinum, while Diary of a Madman was certified triple platinum by the RIAA.

During his interview with The Metal Voice, Kerslake stated that his prostate cancer had spread to the rest of his body. He added that he’s already outlived his initial prognosis, but he will continue to fight. The drummer has been working on a documentary and a new album titled Eleventeen that he hopes will be released in 2019.